Business Information & Analytics Systems

The MSc in Business Information and Analytics Systems provides students with a portfolio of business and analytical methods for solving problems and supporting decision making. The MSc BIAS provides students with a specialism in Business Analytics as well as an extensive knowledge of business and IS concepts. At the core of this programme is a selection of topics covering cloud technologies, Business Intelligence and Business Analytics, IT performance management , data management and IT project management. A research project will allow student groups to explore and develop an IT solution to a specific business problem in an area specific to the Business Information and Analytics area.

Business Analyst and Project Manager are listed as two of the top ten jobs in the IS/IT sector[1]. The MSc Business Information and Analytics (MSc BIAS) is designed to provide students with the skillset to be successful in these roles. Organisations today need people who know how to manage and store data that helps them make better business decisions, compared to years ago when businesses didn't have data management at their fingertips to review and analyse to help them drive business forward.

16 lecture hours per week, with 2 hours of lab work per week. Between 3 and 5 field trips will be organised throughout the year. Group project work continues to early July at the latest, concluding the formal course content. However, students may be required to complete an individual essay in their own time up until the end of July/early August.

A hybrid approach to assessment is used in this programme. Assessments methods include formal written exams, essays, group and individual project work and some lab practicals. Some modules are 100% continuous assessment and most modules have a minimum of 40% continuous assessment. During the programme, students will work individually and in groups. A strong emphasis is placed on oral presentation of work.

The course is taught by academic staff from the Cork University Business School. The academics who teach on the course are experts in their field. These lecturers all have PhDs and/or significant industry experience. Several of the Faculty have worked previously at leading IT organisations, major banks and research agencies. Our academic staff are also engaged in research with involvement in or leadership of research centers in UCC, and publish regularly in international peer-reviewed IT/IS and business journals.

Students develop a skill set appropriate for roles such as business analyst, data analyst, consultant, project management and IT manager. This course is strongly associated with business where data and information plays a critical part. Active input on course content and specialisms is continuously incorporated from multinational industry leaders. The MSc BIAS considers the technical enabling capability of IS and the behavioural aspects of management that support informed decision making. The course places an emphasis on design thinking and a cognitive approach to decision making.

Entry requirements

Eligibility for the MSc BIAS requires candidates to have a 2.2 primary degree at NFQ Level 8 Honours Degree or equivalent, with appropriate information systems or computing technology skills content. You may also be admitted to the course on the basis of extensive practical or professional experience, as deemed appropriate by the Professor of Business Information Systems and the School of Business. Typical students are from technical disciplines such as, Management Information Systems (MIS) or Business Information Systems (BIS), engineering, computer science and mathematics. It is also suitable for business and humanities graduates who have studied computer science and Business Information Systems (BIS) subjects with some computer programming content.

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.

Duration

12 months full-time

16 lecture hours per week, with 2 hours of lab work per week. Between 3 and 5 field trips will be organised throughout the year. Group project work continues to early July at the latest, concluding the formal course content. However, students may be required to complete an individual essay in their own time up until the end of July/early August.

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information

What can I do after I graduate with a MSc Business Information and Analytics Systems? Consultancy firms, financial services firms, manufacturing and services organisations all require graduates who are data savvy and who can analyse data and draw conclusions. The MSc BIAS will focus on the development of these skill sets. Typical roles include Business Analyst, Business Analytics specialist, Data specialist, Consultant, Project Manager, Operations Research and IT Manager.

Further enquiries

Subjects taught

The MSc in Business Information and Analytic Systems degree offers a specialisation in Business Analytics with modules such as:

Design thinking for the Business Analyst
Business Data Strategy
Data Visualisation
Business Analytics and Business Intelligence
Cognitive Decision Making and DSS

These modules will allow students to acquire the skills to mine and analyse data in ways that will enable more informed decision making and result in better outcomes for the organisation. How organisations capture, create and use data is changing the way we work and live. Businesses have more data readily available than ever before and are aware of the need to understand the underlying messages that are held within their data. However, discovering and identifying the underlying message requires a higher level of thinking and analysis.

Additionally the course offers a curriculum of core IS modules including:

Cloud Technology

Data Acquisition and Management
Project Management
IT and Organisational Performance
Enterprise Business Processes

These core modules provide students with the technical skills and techniques needed by organisations to explore organisational issues and support decision-making within a business context. These skills are essential in any organisation where IT is integral to the success of the business. A group research project facilitates students in the practical application of the Information Systems and Business analytical skills that are acquired during the programme.

Some programmes have a specific closing date. Applicants are advised to consult with the postgraduate prospectus for programmes with a specific closing date.

The UCC rounds EU application system closing dates for Postgraduate Taught courses are detailed below. However, we would advise applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: Offers will be made:
For all completed applications received by January 15th 2018 Offers will be made by January 29th 2018

For all completed applications received by March 1st 2018 Offers will be made by March 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2018
Offers will be made by May 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by July 2nd 2018
Offers will be made by July 16th 2018

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity for places.

While there is no official closing date for Research courses applicants are advised to submit their application at least two months ahead of their proposed start date. There are four official Research start dates  September/October, January, April and July.